2009 Country Reports on Terrorism - Portugal

United States Department of State, 2009 Country Reports on Terrorism - Portugal, 5 August 2010, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4c63b62828.html [accessed 26 September 2017]

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Portugal worked proactively with other nations to combat terrorism and disrupt funding for terrorist groups. Because Portugal does not have any indigenous terrorist groups, the legal system and law enforcement focus is on preventing international groups from establishing operations on its soil.

Portuguese and American officials shared counterterrorism information effectively, including information on threat assessments and terrorist operative activities. In cooperation with other European Union partners, the Portuguese government continued to participate actively in ongoing EU efforts to remove institutional barriers to cooperation on counterterrorism.

In September 2008, the Government of Portugal created a new Secretary General for Internal Security, a move designated to facilitate communication between the Judicial Police, Public Security Police, and the National Republican Guard. As a result, the distinct law enforcement agencies were able to share information about terrorism investigations more effectively.

In August 2009, Portugal accepted two Guantanamo detainees for resettlement.

Portugal contributed approximately 145 Portuguese troops that were deployed in Afghanistan in support of ongoing International Security Assistance Force and NATO operations, including a C-130 transport aircraft with a supporting crew of 42 personnel on a three-month mission to support Afghan elections in August.